On International Book Day, I’m reflecting on the quiet miracle that changed my life forever: reading.
I grew up in a small town in the Caribbean where resources were scarce and opportunities often felt out of reach. My family didn’t have much and books were expensive luxuries we simply couldn’t afford. But I had an insatiable curiosity, a hunger to learn and a burning desire to change my life and rewrite my family’s story.
Somehow, I always managed to get my hands on old books worn pages, missing covers, borrowed copies. And each time I opened one, I felt a spark. A sense of wonder. Reading became my escape, my classroom and my secret key to something bigger.
Little by little, my mind started expanding. I began to understand the world beyond my hometown and more importantly, the power I had within me. At just 10 years old, I made a decision that changed the course of my life: I decided to learn English.
That one choice born from pages, passion and possibility; opened doors I never knew existed. It allowed me to access knowledge, connect with people across the globe and eventually build a career and a life that once seemed impossible.
So I liked to take a moment to celebrate books not just as stories, but as lifelines. For the children growing up in small towns with big dreams. For the women seeking more. For anyone who dares to believe in the power of words.
Books changed my life. And they can change yours too!
Happy International Book Day.
